It’s 1892 and you, Esther Klein, are a 17-year-old textile mill worker in the American northeast. You are new to the country and to industrial work, having worked previously on your parents’ farm in the old country. As much as you longed to come to America, your life as a poor Jewish industrial worker in the United States makes you have second thoughts. And life at the mill—why you and some of the other girls dream of organizing and standing up to the mill owners, but what you’ve seen of other labor organizing worries you! So tell me, Esther, what are the sources of your dissatisfaction as a poor woman, a worker, and a Jewish immigrant? Why have your dreams, of what life in America would be, changed?
When I first envisioned coming to America, I thought it would be a land that was full of opportunity. I envisioned it as a place in which even the most unfortunate of the unfortunate could come to live and flourish. A place in which financial and personal success was more than just possible with the right amount of work, spirit, and dedication... it was guaranteed. Turns out I was mistaken. Turns out all my ideas about how America was the land of opportunity proved false. Right now, America is nothing more to me than the mill I work in almost every single day. And I do despise the mill. Does that mean I despise America? Not necessarily. I do despise, however, how this country has been nothing but a letdown for me thus far.
Life at the mill hasn't been easy. I spend more hours than I care to count working the machines, and most of the breaks I take aren’t really what one would normally consider to be a break. Instead of relaxation, I do little but clean the machines or continue to tend to them in some other way. Quite honestly, they do not pay me anywhere near enough money to do this job. The hours are long and strenuous. The work is dull and monotonous. But there’s nothing I can really do. I’ve heard about workers in other parts of the country attempting to fight for better working conditions and pay, and from what I can tell, nothing good came out of it. Quite the opposite, in fact. As much as I hate the mill, it’s the only source of income I have right now. So even though I’m constantly mistreated, have horrible pay, and have nothing but contempt for this mill… I’m going to remain. It’s all I have now.
It’s not easy being Jewish in an overwhelmingly large Christian society. Most of my people are less fortunate than me at finding a permanent job. Their employers simply do not understand why they need to not come to work on Saturdays and observe the Sabbath. As such… they find themselves without work.,Constantly seeking employment in a place that does not truly accept us, even though America prides itself in its supposed religious tolerance. The only reason I still have a job is because I can’t afford to observe Sabbath. I am forced to shove my faith… my way of life… aside for a job I hate.
Is this truly freedom? Because if it is... then I'm genuinely, horribly frightened.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Darwinism
What, in your own words, is Social Darwinism? How was it used to explain a variety of circumstances (e.g. economic and racial/ethnic) in the late 19th century? Do you hear any of the same sentiments echoed today? Evaluate the theory. Do you find it valid? Why or why not?
Social Darwinism is the theory that embraces Charles Darwin's theory of "Survival of the Fittest," stating that the strongest and fittest members of society should survive while the weaker and less capable members of society should be allowed to die. Essentially, in the early 19th century, what this meant was that the white men who worked and earned money to support themselves and their families would flourish and become powerful while the black families, single women, and non-working men should be looked down upon by society and, ultimately, die off, leaving only the strong and powerful.
This, in the minds of our ancestors during the 19th century, justified the cruel treatment of African Americans and the people in the the "lower class." It made a passage of sorts for the corrupt government to trample over the rights of the not-so-fortunate and give strength to those who could pay for it.
These kinds of sentiments are still here today, but not quite as strong. In modern day American society, however, this directs more to income and wealth rather than race and ethnicity. From personal experience, many people even today view the poor with a certain kind of contempt. Some people believe that the poor were born with a certain kind of flaw that makes them unable to earn money while others believe they are simply lazy. Whatever the reason, the poor are often viewed as unfit for many things American society offers.
The fact of the matter, however, is that most of the poor in America are discontent with being poor and take many steps to try and move themselves out of their lifestyle. My roommate was actually born into less than desirable financial and familial circumstances and has lived most of his life surviving on barely any money. Despite this, he possesses one of the most active and bright minds I know.
Social Darwinism is a faulty theory. People shouldn't be divided by classes, gender, and race, but rather by ability. It simply seems ridiculous that a rich, stupid white man would be more qualified to live than a poor, smart black woman. But society is an odd thing. Humans are odd people with odd ideals. What a world we live in.
Social Darwinism is the theory that embraces Charles Darwin's theory of "Survival of the Fittest," stating that the strongest and fittest members of society should survive while the weaker and less capable members of society should be allowed to die. Essentially, in the early 19th century, what this meant was that the white men who worked and earned money to support themselves and their families would flourish and become powerful while the black families, single women, and non-working men should be looked down upon by society and, ultimately, die off, leaving only the strong and powerful.
This, in the minds of our ancestors during the 19th century, justified the cruel treatment of African Americans and the people in the the "lower class." It made a passage of sorts for the corrupt government to trample over the rights of the not-so-fortunate and give strength to those who could pay for it.
These kinds of sentiments are still here today, but not quite as strong. In modern day American society, however, this directs more to income and wealth rather than race and ethnicity. From personal experience, many people even today view the poor with a certain kind of contempt. Some people believe that the poor were born with a certain kind of flaw that makes them unable to earn money while others believe they are simply lazy. Whatever the reason, the poor are often viewed as unfit for many things American society offers.
The fact of the matter, however, is that most of the poor in America are discontent with being poor and take many steps to try and move themselves out of their lifestyle. My roommate was actually born into less than desirable financial and familial circumstances and has lived most of his life surviving on barely any money. Despite this, he possesses one of the most active and bright minds I know.
Social Darwinism is a faulty theory. People shouldn't be divided by classes, gender, and race, but rather by ability. It simply seems ridiculous that a rich, stupid white man would be more qualified to live than a poor, smart black woman. But society is an odd thing. Humans are odd people with odd ideals. What a world we live in.
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